# NTSB NYC89LA170: Luscombe 8A, N71793, Ithaca, NY, July 18, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 18, 1989, 14:24 local (18:24 UTC)
- Place: Ithaca, NY
- Coordinates: 42.440578, -76.500473 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4406&lon=-76.5005&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36442
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC89LA170
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36442/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89LA170

## Probable cause

A LOSS OF CONTROL ON TAKEOFF DUE TO IMPROPER TAKEOFF TECHNIQUES.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - lift-off - premature, pilot in command (cause)
  - porpoise/pilot-induced oscillation - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED HE BECAME AIRBORNE PREMATURELY, BOUNCED, STALLED, VEERED AND FINALLY DEPARTED THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N71793](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N71793), registered now, S/N 3220, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LUSCOMBE 8A
- Registry model: [Luscombe 8A](https://openairdocs.org/model/luscombe-8a) (registry code 8190104) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 3220
- Airframe hours: 3685
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65-8F 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Robert Sharpiro
- Registered owner: Neil Stoneman
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 6, 1989, 8 hours before
- Airport: ITH, Ithaca, runway 19, 1,802 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,400 total, 10 in this make and model, 2,100 as pilot in command, 105 in the last 90 days, 39 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ITH

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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